Saints Defeat The Dirty Birds
The Saints defense played at a championship level in the Georgia Dome on Monday night, and helped propel the Saints to a 17-14 victory over the rival Falcons. Drew Brees hit rookie tight end Jimmy Graham for the go ahead touchdown at the 3:24 mark of the 4th quarter. With the win, the Saint punch their playoff ticket, and still have a chance at an NFC South title.
And Who Dat going back to the playoffs? That would be the Saints, who showed they aren't ready to give up their Super Bowl title with a win that should give them a huge boost of confidence heading into the postseason. The Falcons (12-3), meanwhile, might be having some doubts after their eight-game winning streak was snapped at the Georgia Dome, where they have been virtually unbeatable in Mike Smith's three years as coach.
Still, the loss doesn't ruin Atlanta's two main goals. The Falcons can still wrap up their first division crown since 2004 and home field through the NFC playoffs by knocking off two-win Carolina at home in the final week of the season.
But this one stung, especially since there's a real possibility these teams will meet again in the playoffs.
Brees completed six straight passes on a 13-play, 90-yard drive, the last of them to the rookie tight end for the winning score. That made up for Brees' ill-advised attempt to slip away a backhanded pass while under heavy pressure, which was picked off by Chauncey Davis and returned 26 yards for a touchdown in the opening minute of the fourth, giving the Falcons their first lead all night. And Who Dat going back to the playoffs? That would be the Saints, who showed they aren't ready to give up their Super Bowl title with a win that should give them a huge boost of confidence heading into the postseason.
The Falcons (12-3), meanwhile, might be having some doubts after their eight-game winning streak was snapped at the Georgia Dome, where they have been virtually unbeatable in Mike Smith's three years as coach.
Still, the loss doesn't ruin Atlanta's two main goals. The Falcons can still wrap up their first division crown since 2004 and home field through the NFC playoffs by knocking off two-win Carolina at home in the final week of the season.
But this one stung, especially since there's a real possibility these teams will meet again in the playoffs.
Brees completed six straight passes on a 13-play, 90-yard drive, the last of them to the rookie tight end for the winning score. That made up for Brees' ill-advised attempt to slip away a backhanded pass while under heavy pressure, which was picked off by Chauncey Davis and returned 26 yards for a touchdown in the opening minute of the fourth, giving the Falcons their first lead all night.
Barring a Panther upset of the Falcons next week, the Saints will need to continue to play great on the road. If Brees, Vilma, and the rest of boys in black and gold are back in the Georgia Dome a few weeks from now, they'll know they can beat their arch rivals, even when they don't play their A game.
More From 103.3 The GOAT
